Anger: Is It Controlling You?

Would you say you felt angry? Or upset, annoyed, irritated and livid?

- Dr Shefali Batra

How did you react when you:

• were disrespected?
• were treated unfairly?
• felt violated or attacked?
• felt threatened or exposed?
• were frightened or scared?
• endured deep physical pain?
• were interrupted from your goal?

Did you:

• yell?
• shout?
• lash out?
• cry out loud?
• throw things?
• call out names?
• raise your hand?

Anger is a normal reaction to something we feel is wrong. And allows us to correct it because we are righteous people wanting to protect ourselves and those who matter to us. However, the justification of anger requires a logical appraisal to whatever it is that we feel was unfair. Otherwise we would be getting impractically angry for any and everything, and those around us would not understand why we’re feeling this way. We’d be labelled hot-headed for no reason.

History of anger

Many centuries ago when humans lived in constant fear of animal attack (which meant imminent death), anger and aggression were survival instincts. Relentlessly and unfailingly, we were subconsciously aware that anything can happen to us anytime. So we had to keep on our toes, be hyper vigilant and prep for combat. Anger always triggers the fight response in the body, and physical fight was important for survival back then. These dangers and threats have nearly vanished today. But we still are as angry as before. Probably more.

Why exactly we feel angry